Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 15114, Jesse Ensworth, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Ens worth Jesse
S 15114
boarded
CONTENTS

9828 Connecticut.
Messrs Insworth.
of Milford (in the State of Connecticut) who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Barker of the Regt commanded by Col. Chester, in the Connecticut line for Nine mos.
Death - A.B. Dec. 16 - 1832
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 30. Dollars 00. Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 19. day of June, 1833. and sent to A. F. Hudson. Canterbury, Conn.
  Arrears to the 4th of March 1831.  50.00    Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept. 1833  15.00     $ 65.00  
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. J. Palmer Clerk, Book E. Vol. 3. Page 12.

Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
STATE OF CONNECTICUT, } SS. Plainfield, Probate District of Plainfield COUNTY OF WINDHAM, }
On this 18 day of September A. D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court, before the County Court of Probate for Plainfield of Probate for Plainfield District of Windham aforesaid, now sitting, Jesse Ensworth a resident of the town of Canterbury in the County of Windham, and State of Connecticut, aged 79 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated:
1 st Term of service. On the 25 th day of June 1776 I enlisted into the army of the revolution, as a private to serve six months in the Connecticut State Troops - And on that day I entered into Capt. Asa Bacon's Company, in Col. John Chester's Regiment, and served until the 25 th day of Dec r 1776 inclusive, when I was discharged, and had a written discharge from and under the hand of Genl. Wm. Heath, which I have lost, many years ago. I joined the army at the City of New York. The names of my company officers were as follows, viz. Asa Bacon Capt. Abner Bacon Lt. - Repts 2 nd Lt. And Aaron Bleevland Ensign I understand that Capt. Bacon's pay roll, for the last 9 mos of our service has been found among his papers since his death, and has been transmitted to the war depart- ment by Andrew Spedden of Canterbury; my name being on that payroll, I refer to it as evidence of my services.
2 nd Term of service. The last part of Dec r 1777 I enlisted for a term of three months in the Army of the revolution, and on the 1 st day of January 1778 I entered the service, in Capt. Moses Bromel's Company, in Col. Jeremiah Johnson's Regt. Samuel Huntington was Maj r of the Regt. David Baldwin Adjutant. Genl. Spencer commanded the Brigade. The officers of the company were as follows, viz - Capt. Moses Bromel, Lt. Joseph Berg, Ensign Suckerman. I served in Providence R. I. in said company the full term of three months & was then discharged, but do not recollect receiving a written discharge. I know of no person who served with me in this town who is now alive except Jeremiah Johnson of Canterbury.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
The following interrogatories were by said Court propounded to said applicant, viz: -
 1. Where and in what year were you born? Answer, Canterbury  2. Have you any record of your age; and if so, where is it? Answer - It is in Canterbury & a copy is annexed hereto  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the revolutionary war, and where do you now live? Answer - Canterbury & now live there  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom? answered above.  5. State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops where you served; such continental and militia regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service. Answered Above.  6. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service; and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? Answered Above.  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief in your services as a soldier of the revolution. 
Jesse Ensworth

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year aforesaid before the Probate Court within and for the District of Plainfield, in the County of Windham and State of Connecticut.
Attest John F. Gordon Clerk of Probate
We the subscribers Select Men of the Town of Canterbury hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Jesse Ensworth, the above named applicant, who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration, that we believe him to be of the age of 79 years; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
Andrew S. Judson Nathl Bacon } Select men.
Sworn and subscribed on the year aforesaid before the Court of Probate within and for the District of Plainfield, in the County of Windham, and State of Connecticut.
Attest John F. Gordon Clerk of Probate.
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after hearing the interrogatories prescribed by the war department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them, that there is no clergymen settled in the Parish where the said applicant resides, except one who has recently removed them from a distant town, and who can know nothing on the subject, and it also further appears to the Court that the above named Andrew S. Judson and Nathl Bacon are select Men of said town of Canterbury, that they are credible persons, and their statement is entitled to credit.

8660 Isaac Insworth Connecticut
Adm for 9. Months
$30
[Large stylized signature or initials, possibly 'M' or 'W']
A. H. Jackson Canterbury County
John H. Gordon Clk Court of Windham City Connecticut

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Jesse Ensworth  Windham Ct. Connecticut
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence, by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Enlist. 1776 " 6 " privt Capt Bains Col Chester " Fort Dalt New York 79 years Traditionary   " 1778 " 3 " Branch Johnson " Providence Canterbury Evidence   Gen Spencer " Rhode Connecticut 2 Witnesses  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I _____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this _____ day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____ hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B., who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the _____ and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services. 
 6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 
 7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claimant cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

February 9, 1937.
Annie P. Corson 12 Brewster Road Framingham, Massachusetts.
BA-J/ILL One Jesse Ensworth S. 15114
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of Jesse Ensworth who was born in 1753 in Connecticut and Joseph Dyar (Dyer) who probably served from Connecticut and whose wife was Martha Darbe.
There is no claim for pension or bounty land on file based upon service in the Revolutionary War of the Joseph Dyar cited by you, under any spelling of that surname. The record of Jesse Ensworth is given herein as found in his claim for pension, S. 15114.
Jesse Ensworth was born September 29, 1752 (Old Style), in Canterbury, Windham County, Connecticut; the names of his parents were not given.
While a resident of Canterbury, Connecticut, he enlisted June 25, 1776 and served six months as private in Captain Asa Bacon's company, Colonel John Chester's Connecticut regiment; he enlisted January 1, 1778 and served three months as private in Captain Moses Branch's company, Colonel Obadiah Johnson's Connecticut regiment, engaged in Rhode Island.
He applied for pension September 18, 1832, at which time he resided in Canterbury, Windham County, Connecticut. His claim was allowed. The soldier made no reference to wife or children. He died December 16, 1832.
Very truly yours,
A. D. MILLER, Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

I John S. Gordon clerk of the Probate Court within and for the District of Plainfield, in the State of Connecticut, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the Court in the matter of the application of Jesse Ensworth for a pension
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office, this day of September 1832.
Attest John S. Gordon Clerk of Probate.
Town Clerks Office for Canterbury Sept. 4. 1832. This may certify, that it doth appear from the records of said town of Canterbury, that Jesse Ensworth, the above named applicant was born at said Canterbury on the 29th. day of September 1752 (O.S.) Attest Andrew S. Sisson Town Clerk.
I Jedediah Johnson of Canterbury, Windham County, of lawful age, testify and say that I am well acquainted with Jesse Ensworth, who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration, and do say that on or about the 1 st day of January 1778, I went into the Army of the revolution with my uncle Col. Obediah Johnson, who commanded a Regiment of the Connecticut State Troops, and served at the town of Providence in the State of Rhode Island the term of Three months, and left the army about the 1 st of March 1778 and that during the same period, said Jesse Ensworth served in the same Regiment as a private in Capt. Moses Branch's company. We were tent mates and slept together in the same room, & were discharged the same time. Sept. 4. 1832. Jedediah Johnson

Wincham County ss. Canterbury Sept. 4. 1832 Personally appeared Jedediah Johnson Esq. Port Master, signer of the within affidavit, well known to me as a credible witness, and made solemn oath to the truth of the facts stated in the foregoing affidavit, by him subscribed.
Attest. Andrew T. Mason Justice of the Peace

Miss Ensorworth Wickhambarry Es.
8660
Certificate to be sent to A. F. Jackson Canterbury 6 th

I Silas Cleveland of Canterbury in the County of Windham, being 76 years of age testify and say, that I am well acquainted with Ebenezer Canfield, and do say that said Canfield served in the Army of the revolution from the 25th day of June 1776, to the 25th day of Decr. 1776, as a private in Capt. Asa Bowen's Company in Col. John Chester's Regt. of the Connecticut State Troops. I served with him in the same Regt. & Compa- ny the same time and further say not. Canterbury Sept. 13. 1832 Silas Cleveland
Windham County ss. Hampton Sept. 13 th 1832 Personally appeared Silas Cleveland signer of the foregoing affidavit, to me well known as a credible witness, and made oath to the truth of the same
Attest. Andrew S. Judson Justice of the Peace

I John F. Gordon clerk of the Court of Probate, within and for the District of Plymouth certify, that Andrew T. Judson, whose name is subscribed to the foregoing certificate, is entitled to the Peace for Middlesex County, and that his signature is genuine.
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this 18th day of September 1882
John F. Gordon
Clerk of Probate

THIS SIDE OF CARD IS FOR ADDRESS
Veterans Administration, Washington, D. C.

Will you please send me data appearing in application for pension or bounty land of the two free soldiers of the Revolutionary War, if they applied for same - Jesse Emerson , born 1753 Conn; mar. Lotilla Dyer(Dyer) 1777 and died Dec. 1832. Is buried Canterbury, Conn.
Of Joseph Dyer(Dyer) who had a wife Martha Warbe. Probably Conn. service.
Thanking you, I am
Very truly yours Annie P. Gerson.
12 Brewster Rd., Framingham, Mass.

15114 INVALID.
1937-Feb. 9 - Heir. to Annie P. Corsoa - JLL.
File No. 15.114
Jesse Ensworth Priv. Rev. War
Act: June 9 th 1832
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 114
[Arrangement of 1870.]